Prosecutors received Winston case this week

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — An assistant state attorney says prosecutors in Tallahassee did not receive information about an 11-month-old sexual assault allegation involving Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston until Tuesday.

Tallahassee police investigated the Heisman Trophy contender in connection with a sexual assault that was reported nearly a year ago in an off-campus apartment. FSU records show the first report was made to campus police on Dec. 7 by a student at a dormitory. The investigation was handed over to Tallahassee police.

The case was not given to prosecutors until this week.

Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman says normal procedure for criminal cases in Leon County calls for police to give information to prosecutors if there is evidence for an arrest, or if it is a “close call.” She says police do not tell prosecutors when they have decided against pursuing an arrest.

A day after news of the case broke, jolting college football fans and casting uncertainty on second-ranked Florida State’s perfect season, there were mostly questions left unanswered.

Tallahassee police, citing the ongoing investigation, aren’t saying much about the case as well, including why investigators waited until this week to hand over information about the case to local prosecutors.

The Seminoles went back to work Thursday, preparing for a home game against Syracuse on Saturday.

Coach Jimbo Fisher said Winston took every scheduled practice snap and performed as usual Wednesday and Thursday. He also said nothing has changed Winston’s status as a team leader.

“He’s been great,” Fisher said. “He went out and practiced well, played well and eliminated clutter, from what I can understand as far as distractions.”

Fisher declined comment when asked directly about the investigation and would not divulge when he found out about the alleged incident. He did confirm that he spoke to the team about recent distractions.

Boyd has 97 touchdown passes, two more than Rivers — now with the San Diego Chargers — had at North Carolina State from 2000-03. Boyd left the game and headed to the locker room in the third quarter after hurting his collarbone. But a few minutes later, Boyd bounced around the sidelines, tossing a football and said he was OK to re-enter the game.

He didn’t need to, not with Clemson (9-1, 7-1 ACC) ahead 41-24.

Georgia Tech (6-4, 5-3) had feint hopes of winning the ACC Coastal Division, but fell behind 20-0 early in the second quarter and could not catch up.

Sammy Watkins had touchdowns catches of 41 and 44 yards for the Tigers.